What to Expect When Meeting with Your Personal Injury Lawyer for the First Time

If you’ve never met with a personal injury attorney before, you might not know what to expect. You’ve already had to deal with an accident and an injury, so you might be overwhelmed by the thought of now having to meet with a lawyer.

Well there’s no need to stress. Personal injury lawyers are here to help. So before you put on your best suit and prepare a formal speech, read these tips on what to expect when meeting with your personal injury lawyer for the first time.

Expect Questions

The first thing to expect is questions. A lot of questions. Your lawyer needs to collect a variety of information relating to your accident or injury, including facts about your medical treatment, others involved in the accident, potential witnesses, and more. Some questions might be easy, and others hard, but in order for your attorney to get an adequate handle on your case, you’ll have to answer every question truthfully and in as much detail as possible.

You will probably have just as many questions for your lawyer as they will have for you, so it would be beneficial to write down all your questions beforehand.

He or she will likely also discuss practical aspects of your case such as a representation agreement, different types of legal fees, and the kinds of costs you can expect in your case.

Expect Paperwork

After all the questions comes all the paperwork. All though it might seem tedious and repetitive, it’s crucial you take your time and fill out all the paperwork accurately. It’s also important you bring with you certain documents your lawyer will need to begin your case, such as pictures of the accident, an accident report and insurance information.

Your lawyer also may ask you to sign a form authorizing the release of your medical information from health care providers so that he or she can obtain your medical records on your behalf.

Other things you can expect to discuss with you lawyer include:

If you have spoken with any insurance adjustors or made any written statements

Who you have spoken with about the accident and what details were discussed

The current status of your injuries

Preparing you for What’s Next

You don’t want to meet with an attorney who is going to waste your time, and your attorney doesn’t want to meet with a client who is going to waste theirs. Show up on time and prepared so that your initial meeting can run as smoothly as possible. Ask all of your questions, voice all of your concerns and don’t be intimidated.

Once everything is on track, your lawyer will guide you through the process. The next steps might be visiting a doctor or a factual investigation before the lawsuit is filed, but either way your lawyer will lead you in the right direction.